NHL: Henrik Lundqvist to have open heart surgery

Former Rangers legend, Henrik Lundqvist announced that he will have open heart surgery.

“Last 3 weeks my focus has shifted from training camp and the upcoming season to my health and what I can and can’t do,” Lundqvist posted on social media. “Scheduled for an open heart surgery now – Aortic valve replacement, aortic root and ascending aortic replacement, to be more exact.”

“We all have out mountains to climb. Staying positive here and set on the road to recovery.”

pic.twitter.com/v2yWlfUiXH
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist) December 28, 2020

Henrik Lundqvist to have open heart surgery

According to Emory Healthcare:

The procedure involves excision of the ascending aorta and underside of the aortic arch, and placement of a thoracic aortic stent graft into the descending aorta at the time of arch repair. The native aortic valve and root are repaired, and the ascending aorta and proximal arch are replaced with a Dacron graft.

Henrik Lundqvist heartbreaking announcement

A message from Henrik: pic.twitter.com/JJDe2lKAXz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 17, 2020

The video message released over a week ago, detailed his ordeal and his decision to not play this season. Lundqvist is one of the more emotional players in the game was visibly upset with the announcement.

“It breaks my heart (literally) to share this news: I will not be joining the Capitals this upcoming season,” Lundqvist said in a personal statement on Thursday released via Twitter. “After many weeks of tests and conversations with specialists around the country, it’s been determined that a heart condition will prevent me from taking the ice. Together, we have decided that the risk of playing before remedying my condition is too high, so I will spend the coming months figuring out the best course of action.”

We wish Henrik Lundqvist a speedy recovery.